Power generating device for projectiles



Feb. 17, 1959 .ifc; KOONZ 2,873,678

POWER GENERATING DEVICE FOR PROJECTILES Filed Feb. 25, 1955 INVENTOR. Ja/m/ C. Koo/v2.

nite States John C. Koonz, Fort Wayne, lnd., assignor to The Magnavox Company, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation Application February 25, 1955, Serial No. 490,593

1 Claim. (Cl. 10270) This invention relates generally to power generating devices adapted to derive power from spinning apparatus of various types, and more particularly the invention relates to a power generating device particularly adapted for use in spinning projectiles wherein power may be utilized for delayed arming of a projectile, removal of a safety barrier, or for producing electrical energy to initiate action of an explosive train in response to impact or for self-destruction of the projectile.

In prior projectile arming or safety devices it is conventional to utilize various types of clock mechanisms for providing delayed arming of a projectile or for initiating explosion of the projectile. The conventional devices of this type are relatively complex mechanisms which are expensive to manufacture and which are relatively fragile. Accordingly, they do not provide maximum safety or the ultimate in ruggedness or freedom from faulty operation.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical control mechanism or power generating mechanism adapted to arm or otherwise control the operation of a projectile.

Another object of this invention is to provide a power generating device adapted for use in projectiles or other spinning apparatus which is responsive to spinning action for mechanically or electrically controlling the initiation of the arming or explosion of a projectile.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a power generating device for projectiles or other spinning apparatus which provides positive safety and a high degree of reliability of operation.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a power generating device adapted to control or otherwise operate a projectile or other spinning device comprising a linear mass which may be accumulated on a rotatable device and removed therefrom in response to a spinning action within a predetermined period of time for releasing a mechanism such as an inertia firing pin or other mechanical initiating device, or for efiecting change in an electrical circuit such as a primer circuit in a projectile, thereby to arm or explode said projectile.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claim:

The drawing is a longitudinal cross section of a power generating device for projectiles, as provided in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is provided in accord ance with this invention a projectile or other spinning device comprising a casing 10, at one end of which may be mounted a member 11 having a chamber centrally located therein for supporting a priming charge 12 for initiating explosion of the projectile. At the other end of casing a bearing supporting plate 14 may be suitably fixed for supporting a centrally located annular bearing 15. The casing 10 may also include as an integral part thereof a second bearing supporting plate 17, having a centrally disposed aperture for supporting a bearing member 18. 7

Within bearings 15 and 18 there is provided a rotatable shaft 19 on which may be mounted a pair of spaced flange members 21 and 22. The flanges 21 and 22 are provided for the purpose of forming a spool on which may be mounted a removable linear mass in the form of wire or chain 24, one end 25 of which may be anchored to plate 14 by means of a machine screw 26. When the projectile and spool are spinning, the length of wire or chain, which is between the spool 22 and anchor point 26, is thrown outward by centrifugal force. This unwinds the wire or chain from the spool and makes the spool turn. There is always a length of wire or chain between the spool and inside surface of casing 19, so that there is always a rotating force on the spool. This force exists until the wire or chain is unwound. The wire or chain will be unwound from the spool over a certain period of time depending on the difference between O. D. of spool and I. D. of casing 10 (the length of wire or chain), the radius of gyration of this length, the mass of that length, the total length of wire or chain (or number of turns), and the rate of spin of the projectile.

The wound coil of wire or chain 24 is utilized for retaining a pair of trigger members 28 and 29 in position on shaft 19 as illustrated in the drawing. The inwardly bent portions 30 and 31 of members 28 and 29, respectively, bear on a collar 32 of a firing pin 33. Pin 33 may be retained in position by members 28 and 29 under the biasing action of a spring 34 compressed between a fixed pin 35, mounted within shaft 19, and the collar 32. When a projectile is launched or fired, spinning action causes the wire or chain 24 to fly outwardly, as it uncoils, into engagement with the inner wall 37 of casing 10. When the wire or chain 24 is unwound to a sufficient extent, the pins 28 and 29 move outwardly away from shaft 19, releasing pin 33 so that spring 34 may force the pin into engagement with a detonator 12.

While the invention has been disclosed as incorporating a firing pin, it will readily be apparent that the invention may be utilized for moving a metallic safety barrier out of the way of a primer or booster to provide a flame path to a main explosive charge. The unwinding action of chain or wire 24 may also be utilized to provide power through relative rotation of the shaft 19 and casing 10 to produce electrical energy for initiating an explosive train or providing self-destruction of the projectile. Also, such power may be utilized for other purposes in any type of spinning device. While the invention has been disclosed as utilizing wire or chain, it will be obvious that any other form of winding may be used, such for example as a tape, string or rope.

The invention claimed is:

A power generating device for projectiles or other spinning devices comprising a casing member, a spool rotatably mounted within said casing, a linear mass wound on said spool and secured at one end to a portion of said casing, said mass being responsive to spinning of said casing to unwind from said spool, a spring biased mechanism mounted within said spool, and a release device comprising a wire loop projecting into the path of movement of said mechanism and confined in such position by said wound linear mass for release after said mass unwinds.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Denmark July 26, 1943 

